1. The Kalahari Desert

Covering two thirds of Botswana and part of South Africa and Namibia, the Kalahari Desert is one of Africa’s great wilderness areas. While the terrain looks as though nothing could survive, it’s actually home to large number of different species. It’s also home to the San Bushmen, reportedly the oldest inhabitants of Africa. The Bushmen have adapted closely to their environment, with a remarkable understanding of the fragile ecosystems around them and an ability to survive which seems truly surreal to Westerners – for example, they rarely drink water, and instead rely on moisture from plant roots and desert melons.

There are two main game reserves in the Kalahari; the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and its next door neighbour the Khutse Game Reserve. Both have full desert ecosystems, with different types of wildlife, such as springbok, hartebeest, hunting dogs, and big cats like lions and leopards.

The most famous part of the desert is unquestionably Deception Valley, which was immortalised in the book Cry of the Kalahari. It’s well worth a trip if you get the chance.

2. The Namib Desert

The immense Namib Desert lends its name to the country of Namibia, well known for the largest sand dune in the world. The sand dunes range in colour from pink to orange, resulting in a truly glorious spectacle. The desert is sandy in the south and slowly switches towards rocks as you head north.

One of the highlights of the Namib Desert for me is the Skeleton Coast. Legions of ships have crashed off this coast due to the large amount of fog prevalent in the region. It’s a 300 mile desert, covered in shipwrecks, with fur seals interspersed every now and again. It may look barren, but it is full of life, with 114 mammal species and 340 bird species calling Etosha National Park home. The desert is home to a number of particularly unusual species that survive only in this area.

The majority of the desert is unpopulated (probably a good thing for the flora and fauna), so you’ll need to make your way around the desert taking advantage of the various outposts and settlements. Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are the bigger settlements where you will most likely be staying on a visit to the Namib desert.

And what are those merits, you may ask?

1. Gorilla trekking

Gorilla and sometimes chimpanzee trekking are the big draws to Uganda these days. Seeing one of these beautiful animals up close and personal is an experience that simply cannot be topped. They’re remarkably like humans, so incredibly sympathetic, and the experience will in all likelihood bring tears to your eyes. They may even approach you and touch your clothes, your hair, or your hands. Groups are often families and watching these mothers with their babies is awe-inspiring. It can be a life-changing experience, well worth visiting for, as there aren’t many places where you can get close to these amazing animals in the wild. This is one of those places.

2. Fascinating biodiversity

Uganda actually has quite a few other animals, too. It’s a rich birding destination with over 1000 different bird species recorded in the country. There are plenty of other animals, including many of the safari greats, which you can see at one of the national parks – a good chance for first-timers to get a little bit of classic safari action as well.

Uganda’s climate is largely different from its more famous neighbours, with a generally warm and wet equatorial climate. It does rain throughout the year, despite having two official rainy seasons, so it’s better to go when it suits you and not pay much mind to the weather.

3. The chance to do good

Uganda is one of Africa’s poorer countries, only just starting to pull itself up from the poverty it’s been mired in for decades. You will encounter this poverty on your trip through Uganda, in many cases on transfers from your accommodation through to the parks and other experiences. Road conditions will vary, so in many cases you will have to get out of your vehicle if only to look around. Uganda’s people, despite their poverty, are actually incredibly kind and friendly, and will inspire you to do true good in their community.

The drive to help Uganda through tourism is already there, in that the government is talking about reducing the costs for the permits and increasing numbers. Naturally, this threatens the gorilla’s way of life, as more humans will undoubtedly disturb their peaceful ecosystem and could potentially not provide the extra revenue that the Ugandan government is looking for. It’s hard to say, but what is certain is that, if you have your heart set on travelling to Uganda and seeing these gorillas, you should go sooner rather than later.

The most luxurious mobile safaris are generally not particularly different from staying in a stationary safari camp. The mobile tents will still have normal beds, with hot showers and en suite bathrooms, much as you would expect from an ordinary luxury camp. You may even have your own chef and be treated to a drink from the mobile bar – the camp will also be set up for you before your arrival.

Budget camping options are often still decent, where you’ll sleep in a bed with a mattress but generally have to share a toilet and shower with others. You may even have a separate mess and bar tent as well or get to dine out under the stars. Such a mobile safari will usually be undertaken with a group, usually 6-12 people or a private booking should a large number of you be going, and you may be surprised at how well you connect with the people travelling with you and truly form a bond over the course of your experience. It will be a far cry from any sort of ‘roughing’ it in many cases.

Usually, mobile safaris make use of exclusive locations in private concessions of the larger parks. A normal mobile safari will visit several different parts of the parks to ensure you get a full experience, spending two to three nights at each different location. There are usually daily game drives and may include things like walking trails, boat trips, night drives, scenic flights, cultural tours, or other fun adventurous activities. Often you will be travelling in a way that brings you closer to nature than a 4WD vehicle might, such as walking, biking, or canoeing, getting very near to the wildlife that lives in the various parks.

1.      Mauritius

Mauritius is an all-star choice to go along with a safari holiday and you’ll probably find is the most recommended of all different places. This is because it’s very easy to get to via air from much of Africa and is an amazing relaxation destination, famed among us ordinary folk and celebs alike. Mauritius offers a five star experience for honeymoons in particular but isn’t a strange destination to find a bargain holiday either – you don’t need to go for five star fabulous every time but equally some of the best resorts in the world can be found here.

2.      Seychelles

Seychelles is slightly more upmarket than Mauritius, known better for its exclusive islands and high profile holidaymakers. With a classic laid back island vibe, it really is ideal for those who just want to relax after the more intense excitement of a safari. Seychelles weather is nice all year round, so you can pay more attention to your ideal safari than any other concerns, which leaves your beach time simply for enjoyment as it should be really!

Seychelles is also a good choice for nature lovers because a number of the islands are actually nature sanctuaries. You can spot turtles, birds, and coral formations, some of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. This makes Seychelles a good choice for those who are happy to move around between islands on their holiday, because there is always something else to see.

3.      Dubai

And for the city destination on my list, Dubai. Dubai is a fairly common twin centre stop because flights out to Africa do often stop in Dubai. It’s more often used as the third destination because it doesn’t quite bring to mind the same level of relaxation the other two do – in fact many people largely use it for shopping and a couple of ‘city’ days before or after their main safari and beach holiday. Still, Dubai is a great destination with a lot to see and do and if your heart is set on relaxation, you can find it there too, as Jumeirah Beach is perfect for lounging with its own fair share of luxury hotels.

Which destinations have you paired with safari holidays?

Rhino poaching is a huge, huge problem in Africa at the moment. The rising value of rhino horns worldwide for medical use has inspired poachers of all stripes to try and harm these beautiful beasts in the quest for their rhino. This belief is ridiculous – it’s like believing that eating your toenails will cure cancer – but a lack of education and a consistent belief in these crazy ideas is severely harming rhino populations and setting us back years and years in our goal to eradicate poaching and conserve these animals. Mahlatini’s business is sending people to Africa, but they are also a company passionate about the country; many of the employees are actually South African, which gives them an essential perspective on the crisis, but since they’re based in Northern Ireland, they can use their influence to spread the word in the UK.

To this effect, the company are giving away a rhino sponsorship from the World Wildlife Foundation in addition to their own support of Amakhala Game Reserve’s conservation mission, which appears to be the backbone of the campaign. To enter, you just need to tell people about the competition online – so via your own website, Twitter, or Facebook. Best of all, if you do all three you actually get three entries, so it’s worth it to get your name in the pot more than once.

This is such an easy way to get out the word out about the very real problem that is rhino poaching. We are losing our few breeding rhinos and they are in danger of becoming even scarcer. I’ve seen people upset that they missed out on these sightings in Africa; well the problem is just going to get worse if people keep killing these poor creatures for what is essentially a worthless horn. This is a problem that education and knowledge can stop, so let’s get working on stopping it now!

So, what awaits you when you’re choosing accommodation in South Africa? Plenty of incredible places, that’s for sure, with amazing amenities, game drives, and sights to be seen. South Africa is a very popular location for a safari simply because there is also so much else to do there. But when it comes to staying in Cape Town, you can go the cheaper route, or you can go the luxury route, which is going to be what I’m exploring today.

Amakhala Game Reserve, located in the eastern Cape, is a really wonderful place to spot some wildlife. The area boasts two different accommodations, but my favourite is the Safari Lodge. Amakhala itself is a reserve borne out of a desire to conserve South Africa’s native wildlife. Tucked away as it is, the Safari Lodge is perfect for game viewing; the air conditioned safari huts are built to the highest standards with five star amenities. It’s a big five reserve, which means you can catch sight all of the “Big Five” animals there if you’re lucky, and situated right between two other reserves – so animals can wander freely around (and they often do). Amakhala offers seven luxury huts and four luxury suites, all of which have private plunge pools and their own lounge areas. Accommodation is all-inclusive, so you won’t have to worry about the cost of food either. Plus it’s family owned and run, so you’ll be made to feel right at home with the owners and staff.

Elephant Plains Game Lodge is another excellent choice for the eager safari-goer in South Africa. It’s located in the Sabi Sands, which is one of the best places for game viewing in South Africa, and moreover is smack in front of a permanent waterhole. This means that no matter the season, animals will be coming off the plains to drink, and you’ll have a great view of them from your pool deck. Elephant Sands is also one of the most reasonably prices lodges in the area, which is a big plus in my book. The lodge has just 12 rooms and is booked on a full board basis, with all meals, game drives, bush walks, and tea and coffee included. Children are also welcomed here.

If you’re looking at the Sabi Sands and want something more luxurious and romance, then Singita Boulders Lodge is an excellent choice. Built to sumptuous standards but around the environment, Boulders feels like it just fits in the landscape, giving a true peaceful feel to all of its guests that somehow honours Africa more than a generic camp. All 12 suits have private swimming pools, lounges, and game viewing decks, with twice daily safaris and guided bush walks. You won’t even have to pay for the drinks!

Lastly, I have to feature the Lion Sands Ivory Lodge. What a great place this is. Also located in the Sabi Sands, this lodge has beautiful views of the Sabie River, which flows all year round, and excellent views of wildlife. If you get very, very lucky, you could even see some baby elephants. The lodge has just six suites, which makes it incredibly exclusive, and each are ultra luxurious with fireplaces, private pools, patio, and wooden viewing decks.

What are your favourite South African safari lodges?

Where should you go for the best in Botswana safaris? The two places I mentioned in the above paragraph are great places to start and can do their part of display the gorgeously diverse regions of Africa.

Chobe National Park is not actually the largest of the parks in Botswana, but it’s still large and varied, with much to see and explore. It’s home mainly to enormous herds of elephants, so if you’re really craving getting up close and personal with some of the big gray beasts, Botswana is a perfect choice for you. The Chobe is a good place for safaris in dry season especially because the land really does dry out. This concentrates the animals around the rivers for drinking and hunting, so most safari game drives will take you by the Chobe and Linyanti river systems. There are a huge variety of animals to see here – hippo, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, and even warthogs will be crowded around the waterhole, and with such a diversity of animals, you can really get some exciting meet-ups between species. Even lions will congregate around there, so you can imagine what you’ll see.

What about the Okavango Delta? This, the largest inland delta in the world, is one of the most lush and scenic regions in the whole of Africa. This is because every summer it floods and then slowly drains away, creating a huge diverse landscape that changes over the course of the year. It’s full of papyrus swamps, reed beds, and open grasslands, where you’ll find impala, tssessebe, lechwe, and even sitatunga. With all of these prey species come the predators, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot a lion or even a wild dog or cheetah hunting its next meal here. You’re even able to glide along in a canoe, spotting the animals in comfort.

You don’t have to sacrifice to see all these great sights, either. Botswana has some of the most luxurious camps and lodges available across the whole of Africa; as a result, it’s hosted many high profile personalities over the years. Botswana in particular takes care to minimise the environmental impact of tourism while still generating profit to put back into the local communities; they’ve done this by opting for low volume but high revenue tourism, choosing more luxurious lodges and raising park fees. While this isn’t exactly egalitarian, there are other parts of Botswana which are open to more casual travellers, and this is the main thrust of an overall effort to keep the environments pristine for years to come, rather than stressing the animals and landscape with mass tourism.

If you can afford the high end camps, then, Botswana is a dream of a safari experience. Botswana safaris can deliver on many fronts and are perfect for the luxury traveller.

For the historically inclined among us, I can’t recommend any safari camp higher in the Masai Mara than Cottar’s 1920’s Safari Camp. It’s been running for more than 80 years and offers safaris just as exciting now as they were then – although with much more concern for the animals. This means, however, that the lodge has a really authentic feel, from the white canvas tents to the game drives led by Cottar himself. The camp is private, with 22,000 acres all to itself, and has an abundance of wildlife due to its prime location between the Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Loliondo. This camp also caters for families, with 4 family-size tents that include 2 ensuite bedrooms, and each tent has a private butler.

For a relaxing time after a safari, and ideal for honeymooners, Mfangano Island Camp is a beautiful lodge situated on Lake Victoria. There are only six rooms, so each offers complete privacy. It’s a great choice for those looking to relax after a safari or in between two safari lodges or for honeymooners that don’t want to incur extra expense by flying out to Mauritius or the Seychelles. Each room has a gorgeous view of the lake, most beautiful at sunset, and perfect for romance. You’ll be able to hear the water gently lapping the shore from your bed, lulling you to sleep each night and greeting you every morning. Plus, staying in a Governor’s camp means that your money is being reinvested into the community – and you can visit a nearby traditional fishing community to see the people you’re helping.

For families, the Great Rift Valley Lodge is an excellent place with activities for both parents and kids. It’s located by the Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha. While there aren’t game drives departing from this particular lodge, you’ll be able to golf, play tennis, or go fishing; the kids can spend a few days in the Adventurers’ Club, where activities are organised just for them. There are some fantastic views across the valley to enjoy as well. This lodge is a fantastic choice for a relaxing break in the middle of a safari, especially for those with younger children who won’t be able to sustain the pace over the course of more than a week.

And back to a camp that’s just perfect for safaris. Lewa Safari Camp is just that. Based in a 65,000 acre private wildlife conservancy, it’s chock full of incredible wildlife and amazing views of Mt Kenya and the southern lowlands. You needn’t worry that it’s one of those camps where the view is the main selling point; about 10% of Kenya’s black rhinos live here, and the largest population of Grevy’s zebra call Lewa their home as well. You’ll definitely get some good spots. Lewa is another environmentally and locally focused camp; profits are reinvested into core programs to benefit the community and the wildlife reserve.

So there you have it – four different camps and lodges, four different purposes. I hope you’ve found this useful!

Not least of these many options is a South African safari. Because the country is so popular, you may find the safari routes slightly more crowded in high season, but I promise you it’s worth it, especially if you choose the private reserves and are treated to your own safari tours. Public reserves are open to anyone and thus somewhat cheaper for the average traveller, as they can drive themselves through and stay at the cheaper lodges within the public parks. This is great for those of us who are more independent minded or who have been to South Africa before, because you can go off and do your own thing as soon as you’ve arrived.

For the luxury traveller, however, who has gone all the way from the UK down to South Africa, it seems pretty unlikely that you’ll really want to spend your two week holiday of a lifetime driving yourself through the wilderness. You might not even see any of the ‘big five’ especially in high season. Going to a private game reserve often guarantees you an experienced tracker and a specific section of the reserve in which to go on game drives. While success is never guaranteed, there is a lot more appeal to a quieter game drive, at one with nature, than one you go on yourself surrounded by heaps of other jeeps. The private reserves can be within the larger context of the national parks, with for example the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Kruger. The Lion Sands Ivory Lodge is one of these lodges which takes visitors on game drives through the reserve.

So what’s to see on a South Africa safari? For one thing, it has all the ‘big five’, giving you at least the chance that you’ll be lucky enough to spot them. The country has also been working very hard to conserve their wilderness and wildlife, with conservation programs in place for over a hundred years. Even when things go wrong, or poachers are on the rise, we can trust in the many good-hearted South Africans to do their best at preserving what is fabulous for the rest of us. It’s a lot easier to be a responsible traveller in South Africa than it is in much of the rest of Africa.

So, what do you have to say about my favourite country? Let me know in the comments your tips, tricks, and great ideas for a South African safari.

The Victoria Falls are known indigenously as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, meaning ‘Smoke that Thunders’, an absolutely perfect name for this roaring cascade of water. Depending on when you go, the Victoria Falls will look very different. Rainy season means that the spray from the falls can rise up to over 400 metres – just the spray – and you’ll even be able to see a ‘moonbow’ in the mist. It also means that most of the falls are actually obscured by the mist and you’ll not really be able to get very close. In dry season, the falls are vastly different, and you can even cross some stretches of the river, though I would not advise this just in case. It’s worth seeing in either season, but it may be worth questioning which you’d really like to view. At low season, rather famously, the ‘Devil’s Pool’ becomes relatively safe to swim in. This is at the top of the Falls and is the closest location you can swim in; a natural rock wall lies just below the water and is presumed to stop the progress of the falls. Be warned, however; despite the apparent ‘safety’ of this pool, someone dies swimming in it every year. So be careful.

A safari in Zambia is naturally going to focus on the wildlife, which is easily Zambia’s strongest point. It has nearly half of the total water resources in Southern Africa, so its plant life and animals are incredibly rich and diverse. The most popular safari locations are the Luangwa National Parks and the Lower Zambezi. The Luangwa Valley in north eastern Zambia is the tail end of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. It also happens to be one of the very few remaining unspoilt wilderness areas in Africa. Secondly, the Lower Zambezi is actually where Zambia derives its name (it was formerly known as Northern Rhodesia as a British protectorate), and is another excellent safari location. It’s perfect for boating safaris, bush walks, and animal tracking. Between them you’ll find one of the best spots in the world for viewing leopards.

The largest national park in Zambia is the Kafue National Park, which is best known for having plenty of birdlife. It’s an incredible place to view the African wilderness. It’s perfect for game viewing, birdwatching, and fishing, so if these pursuits are your goals, Zambia may be the way to go.

For those first-timers to Africa, the dry season from June to October is generally the best time to head to Zambia. This offers the best opportunities for game viewing in general, especially for the bigger game. December to May is the wetter season, which is good for birds and especially for wild dogs. In these months, the weather is extremely variable – going from sunny to cloudy and then right back to bright and sunny.

Zambia safaris are great opportunities to view wildlife at its best, and catching sight of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders is surely worth a stop on your next luxury trip. If you’ve been the Zambia, let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear more from you.